Epic May Giveaway: Canon T4i DSLR + Epiphanie Bag
These days, I've been using the word epic with some regularity, there's just been so much good stuff going on! And today, I have something to share that is truly epic in the fun department. I'm teaming up with some wonderful bloggers to offer you an epic May giveaway including a Canon T4i DSLR + a gorgeous Epiphanie Charlotte chevron bag (I have been coveting this puppy), collectively worth ~$1055! Woo hoo!
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Happy last day of April! Following my 
I dig 
One of the most beautiful things about the online space is how incredibly nimble people can be to make awesome things happen. In October when I traveled to Ethiopia as part of the 
I meant to post the last of my four-part spring style lift series (see also, 
My friend 
Because I'm still operating in daily 
Tomorrow is the first day of March, which to me means the countdown to spring is officially on! Yay, spring! In anticipation of the good weather, I thought it would be fun to share a little series on spring style...small tweaks for giving a spring lift to your wardrobe. Today, I'll feature scarves, which are an easy way to add a little punch to an outfit while also keeping you cozy during transition temperatures.
Last Thursday I visited my friend 
Though I love living in a part of the country that experiences four seasons, I always miss the ease of flip flop season when it's over, particularly when it's time to transition to, well, anything with laces (especially cumbersome winter boots). A solid solution? 
I have been a complete jumble of emotions since arriving in Addis Ababa on the 
A few weeks ago I arrived home from 
In recent months, Violet has made it abundantly clear that she is a full-fledged toddler. Soft-soled shoes were perfect during her early walking months, but now she needs footwear built to withstand her jolly stomping (ideally, in her opinion, through puddles and mud). And boy does she love her 
When I first learned about 
There are many things I love about 
When Laurel was a baby, one of my rookie nursing mom mistakes was attending a wedding in a regular dress -- meaning, one with an inflexible neckline and a side zipper that basically made it impossible to nurse without undressing. So when I started looking for nursing-friendly dresses to wear to a couple of weddings this year, after being completely underwhelmed by the nursing cocktail dress market, I was thrilled to land on the perfect style -- a dress that looks fabulous, nursing or not.
Just yesterday I suggested 
Per my 
Today, 
I've known about 
Ever since signing on last year as one of 
Though I typically am a fan of bikinis, given that I'm hitting swimsuit season about three months postpartum, I wanted a little more coverage this season. Just the other week I was looking remorsefully at my bikini collection (which includes a couple of 
Hello everyone -- I hope you have fantastically relaxing plans for the Memorial Day long weekend! We're going to be staying local and keeping it low key since June will be a bit crazy, but at the very least, yummy food and fun and games with Laurel and Violet are on the docket. (Admittedly, hopefully we'll also chip away a bit at some household to do's.) Meanwhile, I thought I'd share 12 bits of web awesomeness to entertain you over the long weekend. Enjoy! 
Ever since Laurel became upwardly mobile, I couldn't help but notice the proliferation of Crocs on kids, but Laurel never showed much interest (save the collecting potential of jibbitz) due to her desire for all things girly. And apparently it's amazing what a flower cut out and the right colors can do. I recently received a pair of 
I met Joslyn Taylor of 
It was so fun to return to Life.Style this week, and especially cool that technology allowed me to host via Skype so I could remain close to baby Violet. I had a fantastic time chatting with Melissa Massello and Amy Chase of 
My friend Lindsay Ferrier not only is a fantastic, funny writer (her personal blog 
My friend 
A couple of months ago, after (probably too) many weeks of winging it with my regular clothes, I finally came to terms with the fact that I needed maternity tops. It also quickly became painfully (literally) clear that I needed new bras too. Read on for my thoughts on three of Bravado's maternity/nursing bra offerings, as well as to learn how to win a Bravado nursing bra or tank!
Despite the unusually warm weather this week, I'm pretty sure winter is not done with us, so it was perfect to chat yesterday about 
Now that we've hit five weeks until baby, in addition to the 
I love wearing dresses, but clearly, going bare legged isn't the greatest option if getting from point A to B involves going outside in frigid winter weather. So I was thrilled to find -- in advance of heading to 
Today, 
Pregnancy hasn't slowed me down at all, but when I travel, I do now feel more acutely the burden of toting luggage along with my front-riding precious cargo. So I was thrilled to learn about 
Today's 
Laurel recently has gotten into headbands (which is great because her fine hair is prone to flyaways that get stuck in food and art projects), and we've struck out on a couple of attempts to find a flower headband she likes. I was about to jump down the Etsy rabbit hole (or hit the craft store and warm up my glue gun) when we stumbled upon this 
Today, 
One thing that's clear about pregnancy is that bodies grow very differently (when in doubt, do not ask!). I "popped" late with Laurel, and it's been similar this go around. At almost 17 weeks, though I'm definitely feeling thicker around the middle, I'm still wearing my regular clothes; as of two weeks ago, I simply looked a little 
Today, parent educator 
For probably the last five years, I've anticipated boot season with excitement and hope, and ultimately have come out the other side disappointed. I know this may sound a tad melodramatic but it's true. My typical ritual is this: I fawn over online and print fall boot fashion spreads, hit the stores loaded with energy, and leave utterly deflated because everything I try on makes my calves feel like sausages. And it's not as if I have super large calves, just some little muscles from running and yoga. Nonetheless, all boots to date have suffocated. Until 
Following a busy summer and lovely Labor Day weekend celebrating Laurel's birthday, it's been fun to get caught up on blog reading. Here are some links that caught my eye this week, and that I curated over at 
I must admit that I've been a tad "meh" about 
Normally I'm not an offer to host a trunk show type of gal, but after seeing some of the products from my friend (and BM contributor) Paige's 
After falling off my fitness wagon for a few weeks (amid injury, dreadful heat, and end of school year chaos), I recently found a way to 
I love when I visit a new website that is easy to navigate and loaded with cool eco-finds and learn that it is based locally. Such was the case with 
I loved being pregnant with Laurel (I was one of those annoying people who experienced a blissfully smooth pregnancy), but I wasn't wild about the limited fashion options at that time. Luckily, maternity style now is a cinch, thanks to collections such as those by 
I recently started helping my web savvy friend 
The bold and cheerful clothing of Swedish outfitter 
As much as I love shopping for pretty new things for Laurel, I'm also keen on finding pretty used things for her, given my eco and 
One thing that used to curb my shopping at 
Here are some lovely links that caught my eye this week around the web. Clearly I've got DIY projects (and travel) on my mind. I love this pretty 
Last weekend Laurel and I had a fantastic time at the 
Today's 
Today, 
Today, 
As the mom of a sock-resistant child in a “no shoes” house (a rule stemming from my Asian upbringing and immense distaste for increased need to vacuum), slippers are a must. And if you want cute slippers for kids and grownups, check out 
During the bitter winter months, even summer-related crafts are welcome (let's all chant the think warm thoughts mantra, shall we?). Today, 
It's no secret that I’m a bit obsessed with kids wearing properly fitting, comfy shoes. And what I dig about 
Pursuant to her 
I met Allison Czarnecki of 
Audrey McClelland of 
Today, fashion addict 
Davis Square’s bargain retail profile recently kicked it up a notch with the addition of 
Last month I guest posted about 
I’ve 
One reason I've never purchased a traditional mother's ring or necklace (such as the seven-stone mother’s ring my siblings and I gifted my mom on her 60th birthday, when she was definitely done) is the permanence factor. And this is why I dig the chic flexibility of locally owned 
Laurel starts kindergarten in a couple of weeks but I haven’t been sweating the preparations due to a minimalist approach on the material side (the emotional preparation is another story...). In my latest 
As an eco-geek who truly believes that every little environmental effort counts, I also can’t help but stand in awe and admiration of those who take eco-activism to a new level of awesomeness. And as you outfit your family for fall footwear, consider supporting 
There’s something to be said for paying for an experience; say, first class airline tickets, a meal at a chic restaurant that will stow luggage while you shop (as did 
I love the comfort of cotton but often times want something with a little more pop than a basic tee. And if you dig fine prints with a touch of urban edginess, check out 
Plain and simple, I love dresses. They can be sweet, sophisticated, or smokin’ and, well, they make getting ready a breeze; just add shoes and accessories and go -- no separates coordination required. And next time you’re in the market for a dress -- be it for you, your daughter, or your BFF -- check out 
Laurel and I both agree that a little bling (OK, in her case, a lot of bling...) goes a long way in lifting one's mood and outfit. And whether you want to purchase ready-to-go, made-to-order, or personalized goods, 
Today, 
In anticipation of all those great Memorial Day sales, consider these quick summer fashion fixes from 
I have a 
Regular readers know that I’m an 
Today, 
Welcome to 
I’m thrilled to introduce new contributing writer 
I’m thrilled to introduce new contributing writer 
For both Laurel and myself, I love the ease and prettiness of dresses, and as we eagerly await (consistently!) warm weather, I can't wait to get Laurel into her delicious pink hibiscus 
Baby shoes rank among my favorite baby gifts to give; they’re wonderfully practical yet can be unbelievably cute and unique – and 
I’ve recently become obsessed with spring cleaning, and if you’re similarly ready to shake the dust from your closet, head over to 
After months (okay, years) of trying to play it cool over Laurel’s veggie intake (i.e., putting them on her plate but not forcing her to eat them), she finally is rewarding our patience – now consuming veggies she previously refused to touch and at least trying everything. So no wonder I want to celebrate, and a super cute way to do so is via the produce-inspired 
Today I’m sharing a bit of a hybrid link post; including posts that caught my eye per Love These Links! (where I share clever, resourceful, thought provoking, and/or hilarious links that I think would be of interest to the fabulous readers who peruse Boston Mamas), plus links from my style blog Weekly Web Roundup partnership. Enjoy!
Given that Laurel was born in the Year of the Monkey, I've always had a soft spot for simian styled products. So it’s no wonder that I adore 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Let’s face it. Adorably chic baby goods are easy to find in abundance, but – as I’ve found when shopping for my 4-year-old – stylish offerings tend to be less reliably available for the pre-school to pre-tween set. And that’s why I dig 
It’s been a crazy, crazy week, but apparently there’s always time to surf. Here’s what caught my eye around the web this week, in my 2nd edition of Love These Links!, where I share clever, resourceful, thought provoking, and/or hilarious links that I think would be of interest to the fabulous readers who peruse Boston Mamas. Enjoy!
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
My general style philosophy is to dress simply and accessorize fabulously, with cool chunky or layered necklaces being one of my favorite go-to accent pieces. And if you’re looking for unique jewelry that will complete your outfit and likely make for a conversation piece, check out 
I must admit that I’ve long been under the impression that Avon is just about cosmetics, but they’ve apparently branched well beyond; in addition to wellness products, kid’s décor, and even man gifts, they offer an affordable line of 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Jammies offer indisputable comfort and coziness, and on non-school days, Laurel pretty much tries to stay in hers as long as she possibly can (and to be honest, I’m of similar mind some mornings). And whether you’re looking for pajamas for your kids or for the whole family, check out 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
This holiday season, if you want to get baby something useful and cute, you can’t go wrong with shoes, which undoubtedly will see plenty of action as baby learns to cruise, stomp, walk, and run. And for our sixth installment of Giveaway Goodness, our friends at Robeez generously are gifting two of our readers from their 
As a parent, sometimes I find it absurdly challenging to get out the door in one try, and since we’re a shoes-off household, tracking back through the house to fetch forgotten mittens, lunch box, stuffed animal, etc. is much easier with slip on shoes. And these days, I find that I don’t mind the track backs as much thanks to 
One can never have enough shoes for busy, growing feet, and thanks to our friends over at 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
A fun new piece of jewelry can serve remarkably well to lift the spirits, and our fourth installment of Giveaway Goodness will give a little boost to your bling collection. We’re giving away 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
One of my favorite things about fall is the return of snuggly jammies, and 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
This weekend’s deluge made two things clear: the childhood joy of puddle stomping is timeless, and your kid can stay out and stomp a whole lot longer with the right gear. And for the ultimate in cuteness and quality, check out 
I’m the type of person who, for special events, is willing to let my feet bleed for the perfect (looking) pair of shoes, but on a daily basis, the reality is that I need stylish comfort, whether I’m hoofing it to meetings or running errands or hitting the playground with Laurel. And happily, the comfort shoe industry is stepping it up to meet the needs of style and comfort conscious women.
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
One of my favorite things about living in a city with four distinct seasons is that we get four true phases of fashion and footwear. Read on for my review of some of my favorite picks from 
Whether through books, toys, clothing, or gear, I’m always on the lookout for cool kid’s products that will inspire conversations about – or simply reflect the beauty of – diverse cultures. And 
Today, 
Laurel is all about ballerinas and princesses, whether she's playing dress up or just getting ready for the day. As such, one of her recent fashion faves is 
Babies – in all their cute chubbiness – are irresistibly cuddly, but can be challenging to dress. That’s why 
To be honest, as a kid, I always was more excited about back to school supplies than school itself, and something like the 
The skort concept isn’t just handy for jungle gym climbing tots. Whether you’re hitting the yoga studio, hiking trail, or local barista, you’ll be cute, concealed, and eco-conscious in the 
In our house, talk of fall inevitably leads to talk of Halloween, which leads to my fretting over ways to enhance Laurel’s costume for warmth on what's typically a very chilly and spooky night. Luckily, there's a super cute and functional solution from 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
For a cultured alternative to the typical “A is for Apple” learning model, check out 
The right bling can instantly upgrade your outfit (and attitude!), and if you love funky jewelry finds, check out 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Given that kids dig shapes and animals, and modern parents are hungry for stylish simplicity, the designs at 
In these sticky, sweaty days of summer, you can never have enough tees for your tot. And for those who dig a dose of cheeky on baby’s tee, check out 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
One pragmatic plus of having a daughter is dresses, which create a cute look instantly and make frequent changes a cinch. And if you share my love for simple, elegant, comfy, and good for the planet, check out the chic offerings at green boutique 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
In addition to popsicles and plenty of park time, one of Laurel’s favorite things about summer is the ability to cover herself (and me, and anyone else who will let her) with temporary tattoos. The tattoos usually don’t go with a given outfit, but now it’s possible to coordinate a trendy look with 
Although Laurel now revels in being old enough for bare feet or flip-flops, when I’m shopping for little loved ones, I still obsess over baby shoe cuteness. And the ballet criss-cross styles in 
Want to foster your child's love for learning letters while supporting a local, eco-conscious mamapreneur? Today, 
OK, so how cute is this? At long last, I’ve designed a cool, cute, and comfy 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
In my opinion, every day is Earth Day, and if you love naturalistic homages to animals as much as I do, check out the amazing 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
While Laurel certainly has experienced her share of mommy or daddy-centric phases, these days she’s truly happiest when planted squarely between us. So it’s no surprise that she loves the clever Mom & Dad Butterfly Tee from 
Despite my classical training, I was a closet rocker (left truly speechless when I saw a live electric violinist for the first time), so it’s no surprise that I dig the baby rock revolution. And whether or not your kid plays a mean triangle, parents who dig a little edge will love 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Lands’ End is my go-to source for Laurel’s summer tankinis and action sandals, but I also dig that they offer women’s swimsuits with a few magic details to inspire beach strutting confidence. Offering suits for all shapes and sizes, their 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Whether it’s a function of post-winter pounds or running in circles with mamas who lack the time to run for real, I’ve recently found myself amidst several episodes of collective discontent over muffin tops (as in, the unwanted roll that hangs over your jeans). To negotiate this problem, as well as that of rear crack or undie exposure, I’ve been recommending the 
These days, Laurel is all about looking fancy and colorful (current favorite color = “pink and green and purple and blue and yellow and orange!”), and we’ve recently found a way to bridge her love of color and flounce with comfort through 
Mamas need to stick together, and former New Yorker Erin Brennan Allan and Nairobi native Mary Wambui are helping women do just that through 
Laurel recently has grown particularly opinionated and independent regarding fashion; she wants to pick her outfit from the skivvies forward and dress herself. And while this new level of independence takes more time (particularly compared to my habit of dressing her based on what's on top of her clean, unfolded laundry pile), the slowdown is made up for by the ease with which she now chooses her shoes. 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Spring's sprouts may be taking their sweet time to appear, but thanks to 
One challenge for pregnant working women is finding maternity clothing that is stylish and well constructed, but doesn’t break the bank. When I was pregnant with Laurel and hunting for reasonably priced work pieces, I saw a troubling amount of highly flammable polyester construction that was ill reminiscent of the marching band and color guard (yes, color guard) uniforms I wore in high school. Designers are, thankfully, catching on to the need for affordable maternity style, and among the newcomers is the recently launched 
These days, kid’s fashion can be so fabulous that I often find myself saying, “I wish they made that in grown-up sizes!” So it's refreshing to see that trend in reverse, as Clarks translates their grown-up shoe know-how - they design comfy shoes that span casual to dressy - to 
Whether you love the messy, tactile nature of art, kitchen, and garden projects with kids, or need a little inspiration to say yes to mess, check out 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
While generally I believe in investing in key wardrobe pieces, one area that challenges me is bags. I love having a variety of styles to go with different outfits, and I just can’t stomach the idea of picking a single bag to drop a fortune on. And then when one of Laurel’s milk cups exploded inside the one designer tote I do own (a gift from a very generous friend…), I decided to look for alternatives.
For the most part, your kid probably isn’t trying to pick a food fight, but mealtimes sure can feel that way sometimes. And to serve the need for repeated tee changes with a dose of humor and sass, there’s 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners: 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
There’s a lot of cool indie kid’s clothing out there, but 
I’d venture to guess that for most of us, photos from childhood make it clear that soothing color palettes and stylish lines in kid’s fashion are a thing of the present (yes, I have photo evidence of a particularly woeful chartreuse floral shirt/blue plaid shorts combo, circa 1979). And 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners: 
I’ll admit that I have a bit of a shoe problem (Jon’s still wondering where I plan on wearing a pair of snakeskin peep-toe pumps purchased in December…), and the evolution of kiddie shoes has created a whole new problem for me. Case in point: this month, 
Today, 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners: 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners: 
I’ve basically been indifferent to the love/hate Crocs debate, but when I first laid eyes on 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners: 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
If you’re looking to beat the winter blues and simplify your laundry and morning routine, consider 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
We first heard about 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Today, 
I freak in the presence of chic little details so it’s no surprise that I love 
, here’s the first of a series of posts on fabulous luxe and low budget bag solutions. 
:
(which my sisters and I used to pore over in high school).
(shown; from 
, by Jill Kargman (best-selling co-author of 
). 
, from 
